Focus on spending

As officials attempt to balance the state budget, nearly all I read about is raising taxes or adding new ones. To reduce expenditures, the state wants to cut aid to small towns, schools and hospitals, all of which means higher local taxes. Nowhere have I read about increasing efficiencies or reducing dishonesty in state practices. I suggest the following:
Eliminate "Christmas tree" items, with legislators arranging for grants to "friends" and in return getting high-paid, low-show jobs from recipients.
Stop pay-to-play. You know when lawyers, engineers and consultants give money to candidates, it doesn't come out of their pockets but appears in their vouchers, which end up costing taxpayers.
Stop costly state benefits for part-timers. Stop all nepotism, double-dipping and contract awards to high-bidder "friends."
Raising taxes is not only costly to residents but drives out business and costs jobs, further reducing revenues.
Let's balance the budget by reducing wasteful spending instead of raising taxes.